Local businesses optimistic on Black Friday

PORTSMOUTH — Downtown business owners say they are cautiously optimistic about the Christmas shopping season.

Karen Dandurant

PORTSMOUTH — Downtown business owners say they are cautiously optimistic about the Christmas shopping season.

Despite the rainy weather, people were out shopping on Black Friday.

At G. Willikers! there was a steady stream of shoppers looking for the perfect toy.

"We didn’t open at 4 a.m.," said co-owner Jody Breneman, referring to the early bird sales at the malls. "We have our Playmobil and train sales going on today. We will have a series of sales right up to Christmas. We usually get our heavy traffic mid-morning, after breakfast."

Co-owner Bob Breneman said Black Friday is not typically their busiest time.

"We’re busiest the couple of Saturdays before Christmas," said Bob Breneman. "I think we’ll have the same numbers of customers this year. People come downtown for the experience They come to see the wreaths, have a cup of cocoa and visit the shops. I think that if people are going to buy fewer gifts, they want them to be more meaningful, more of a quality gift. We’ve been here for 30 years and people know we’re not going anywhere."

At Cool Jewels, co-owner Barbara Bradford said she does believe people are holding back.

"So, we’re trying to have some more affordable items to offer, things in the $4 to $20 range," Bradford said. "Besides the fine silver jewelry, we have some costume jewelry. We are selling hats and shawls."

Bradford said they have a pretty loyal customer base but are also relying on the tourists.

"People come here for the atmosphere they can’t get at the malls," she said. "Some people find the malls a bit overwhelming."

Beth Underwood, a clerk at Little Timber said business had been steady all morning.

"It’s getting to be that time of year," Underwood said. "Business goes up and down but I think people are hanging in there."

The economy is not a factor in how Karen Krinsky will buy gifts. The Warwick, R.I., woman was shopping at Little Timber, buying things for children.

"I don’t have a really big family so it’s not a problem for me," Krinsky said.

Marion Yaun, owner of the Portsmouth Candle Co., said the items she sells are pretty much all affordable.

"We’re a good place to shop if you’re on a budget,’ Yaun said. "Most items are at a reasonable price."

Yaun said her business seems more dependent on the weather.

"If the weather is good, people come out," she said. "Today may be more of a mall day because it’s rainy. It’s still early though. We get busiest after lunch."

"We’re even been handing out recipes," Wyrick said. "People come in and ask for them after trying the cookies."

"Business had been quiet on Friday morning but that didn’t really concern Wyrick.

"We’re busy in the afternoon and in the evening," He said. "I think everyone is approaching the season with caution."

Bryant Tuschl and Shannon Grant were out shopping, despite the rain. Both are dancers here to perform in the Nutcracker with Ballet New England.

Tuschl said not only is he is not worried about the economy, he intends to "spoil" his family with gifts.

"My mom taught me to begin buying gifts in early November, so I am not spending money all at once," he said. "I’m getting paid well at the ballet so I am going to spend what I want."

Grant said she is also paid well.

"But, I am a sucker for 50 percent off," she said. "We shopped at Fast Eddie’s Dirty Laundry because from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. everything was hugely discounted."

As a consumer, Lauren Macaione said she is thinking about being more cautious and less frivolous in what she buys. As a manager at Stonewall Kitchen, she said she believes their sales will be competitive with last year’s figures.

"We sell gourmet food and people buy it to bring as a hostess gift," she said. "I think the rain today is hindering our sales but Black Friday is not our busiest time. We are really busy right before Christmas."

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